Chopin Prelude Db major No.15

Question 0

What style of music is this piece?

Answer 0

Romantic

Question 1

Describe the textures used in this piece

Answer 1

Section A: Melody in right hand, broken chords in left
Section B: Melody in left hand, doubles in octaves as builds to climax, more chordal
Section A: Melody in right hand, broken chords in left, short monophonic phrase in coda
Homophonic

Question 2

What does the term Rubato mean?

Answer 2

Flexible tempo for an expressive effect

Question 3

Describe the rhythm, metre and tempo of this piece

Answer 3

In C, 4/4
Legato, unhurried manner
Repeated quavers
Sectuplet and Dectuplet
Melody begins with dotted rhythm
Rubato-Flexible tempo for an expressive effect

Question 4

Describe the tonality and harmony of this piece

Answer 4

Diatonic harmony
Section A: Db major, imperfect cadence
Section B: modulates to the enharmonic tonic C# minor, imperfect cadence
Prelude ends in perfect cadence
Dominant pedal- Ab and G#

Question 5

What does ‘sotto voce’ mean?

Answer 5

Play quietly

Question 6

What form is ABA?

Answer 6

Ternary Form

Question 7

When was this piece composed?

Answer 7

1839, 17th century, Romantic era

Question 8

Describe the melody of this piece

Answer 8

Lyrical melody in right hand, decorated with ornaments
Section B: melody moves to the bass, made up of longer notes
Prelude mostly made up of 4 and 8 bar phrases

Question 9

What nationality was Chopin?

Answer 9

Polish

Question 10

Where did he spend most of his career?

Answer 10

In Paris